BOBBEGIBS. 143 



families, sometimes all, have participated in the plunder. 

 One -family, if it be large, is just as likely, and more 

 so, to find a weak one among the ten, and commence 

 plundering, as thfe other way. 



IMPROPER EBMBDIES. 



Notwithstanding it is common to hear remarks like 

 this, " I had a first-rate hive of bees," (when the fact 

 was he had not looked particularly at his bees for a 

 ^month, to know whether it was so or not, and if he 

 had, very likely would not know,) " and Mr. A.'s bees 

 began to rob them. I tried every thing to stop it ; I 

 moved them around in several places to prevent their 

 finding the hive. It did no good ; the first I knew 

 they were all gone — ^bees, honey, and all 1 The bees 

 all joined the robbers." Now the fact is, that not one 

 good stock, of bees in fifty, will ever be robbed, if let 

 alone; that is, if the entrance is properly protected. 

 .Tills moving the hive was enough to ruin any stock; 

 bees were lost at every change, until nothing was left 

 but honey to tempt the robbers ; whereas, if left on 

 its stand, it might have escaped. 



A great many remedies, have been given me gratis, 

 which, had one-half been followed, would have ruined 

 them. The fact is, with many people, the remedies 

 are often the cause of the disease. The most fatal is, 

 to move them a few rods ; another, to close the hive 

 entirely, (very liable to smother them) ; or, break out 

 Bome comb and set the honey to running. There are 

 some charms that affect tliem but little any way. 

 -Probably -there ai-e bii!: fev/ bee-kcepcrs able td tell at 



